Chemical Safety
American Rose Society Presentation
Program Services Committee
Steve Jones, Chairman
© ARS 2005
Text and Photos by Steve Jones
Read the Label!
Types of Chemicals
•Pesticide – kills pests, general term
•Insecticide – kills insects
•Fungicide – kills fungi
•Miticide – kills mites, also called acaricides
•Herbicide – kills weeds and plants
•Rodenticide – kills rodents
LD-50
•LD-50 – Lethal does to kill 50% of theaffected population
•Expressed as milligrams per kilogram ofbody weigh.
•The lower the number, the more toxic
•Signals Words are based on LD-50 of thematerials within the chemical
Signal Words
•Poison – Skull & Crossbones
•Danger – Highly Toxic, LD-50 (Oral) - 0-50mg/kg
•Warning – Moderately Toxic, LD-50 - 50-500mg/kg
•Caution – Slightly Toxic, LD-50 - >500 mg/kg
•Caution – Toxic, LD-50 - >5000 mg/kg
•Signal Words are based on material or carrier
Routes Of Exposure
•Contact – Exposure through the skin, eye,or any exposed areas of the body. The mostdangerous exposure to rosarians
•Ingestion – Swallowing the material
•Inhalation – Breathing the material vapors,usually occurs when mixing in enclosedareas
Chemical Handling
•Store in locked cabinet away from children
•Store in a cool dark place
•Check age of chemicals
•Never store in another container
•Never mix herbicides in sprayer
•Wear proper protection
•Never recommend a restricted chemical
•Never split a chemical among friends
Chemical Mixing
•READ THE LABEL!
•Mix according to instructions, never more
•Concentrate is the most dangerous
•Contact exposure is the most dangerous torosarians
•Wear washable protective clothing and gear
Chemical Mixing (cont.)
•Mix in a well ventilated area
•Never mix more than you can use
•Avoid mixing more than one chemicalunless compatible
•Never store leftover mixed chemicals
•Know first aid treatment for each material
•Keep MSDS sheets handy
Protective Clothing
•Long sleeved shirt or protective suit such asTyvek
•Gloves
•Rubber boots
•Goggles or face shield and hat
•Respirator for liquids
•Dust mask for dusty materials
•Wash separate from other clothes
Spraying Chemicals
•Never spray on windy days
•Do not spray on very hot days
•Spray enough to cover entire plant
•Use materials only to take care of problemor potential problem
•Use the least toxic material that works
•Be a good neighbor
New Low Toxic Materials
Above All, Be Safe!
The End